How much time do we spend waiting? Waiting in line – waiting at red lights – waiting for food – waiting for answers. I’ve written blogs about it before – WAITING – and am sure I will write blogs about it again!

I wrote that blog on August 24th – I was pregnant and didn’t know it yet! Here is a portion from that blog -

Now we wait again. We wait for a child. I have known from the moment I can remember that I’ve wanted to be a mother. That I was meant to be a mother. 2009 was a year for change. I quit my job – started a new one – we got a puppy – and found out we were going to be parents. We waited for our first appointment and waited more when the image I knew I was supposed to see wasn’t there. We waited for our baby to miscarry – waited to start trying again. Here we are – a year and a half later – still waiting for a miracle. Praying for a baby – our baby.

On March 28th of this year – Jared’s mom was given a word in church. That our children would rise up like mighty oaks. Our children.

On April 11th of this year – Dave called us again with a word for us. We would have children. Lots of them – running around in our yard – jumping on trampolines – and they would be our biological children – they would all look like Jared.

On August 15th of this year – we met with our Pastor – because I am angry, tired, sad, and weary. He told us that God has children for us – our biological children. But first we must open our hearts to the notion of taking in a child that is not ours – biologically.

So we wait and pray.

Because we are all waiting – for something.

For a new job – a spouse – a baby – a moment alone – a day without worrying about your weight – a friend – and for Jesus to come back.

I waited a little over week after writing that to find out that we were having a baby. Looking back on it now – it seems unreal. Looking down at this big belly that doesn’t fit in my tank top as I type this – seems unreal.

And still I wait. I wait for this baby to be born. I wait to hold him and cuddle him and love him. We wait to stay up at night with this little miracle. We wait to hear him say his first word and take his first step. We wait. Forever – we wait for something!

I am waiting to feel that first contraction and wonder when we should go to the hospital. Waiting for my water to break. Waiting for that moment when I wonder if I can do this. If I can get through this. Waiting to hear his first cry and see his face for the first time. To hold him in my arms and kiss his cheeks. To look into Jared’s eyes and thank him for this amazing gift that he gave me. To introduce him to his family and friends – people that love him and have prayed for him for YEARS!

Waiting to have him fall asleep on my chest and sigh that sweet baby sigh. To take him home and introduce him to Schrute. Oh – so many things are waiting for you baby!

I am so thankful for EVERYONE that has been involved in our lives! For those of you that sent cards and gifts and prayers and words of encouragement. For those of you that came to showers and SHOWERED us with love and gifts! For those of you that love him so much already! I am so amazed at what the world of FACEBOOK has brought to our lives! So many of you I would have NEVER met if I didn’t have this blog and a FACEBOOK account!

I cannot WAIT to post the photos that Bridget Reed will be taking during his birth! I just CANNOT WAIT for this moment to happen!

I am praying and praying and PRAYING for all you out there that are waiting for a baby. I am praying that God would pour out strength and faith and hope.

Until next time – I will be right here – waiting … for this baby – for YOUR news about a baby coming to YOUR family!

“We rode into town the other day
Just me and my Daddy
He said I’d finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide

We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that man
That my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes

So I said “Daddy, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe?
I’ll bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy, please can’t you do something?
He looks as though He’s gonna cry
you said he was stronger than all of those guys
addy, please tell me why
Why does everyone want him to die?”

Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And Daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not keep from wondering
If there was something he had to hide

So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds
To a hill where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross

And it said, “Father, why are they screaming?
Why are the faces of some of them beaming?
Why are they casting their lots for My robe?
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father, please can’t You do something?
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle the cross of this size
Father, remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die?
When will I understand why?”

“My precious Son, I hear them screaming
I’m watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus, this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I’ve heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon You’ll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below, see the child
Trembling by her father’s side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die”

Nicole Nordeman sings this song – powerfully!

if you are lost today – YOU CAN FIND PEACE!

if you are wondering if you are worth it – YOU ARE!

Jesus died for YOU! You are that little girl trembling – afraid – lost – and God LOVES YOU!

Derek, Samm, and I were supposed to get tattoos together! Since I’m pregnant it will just have to wait – but that didn’t stop Samm and Derek!

Derek got a rowan tree for his baby girl! I LOVE the way it turned out!

Samm got some paisleys! Someone asked what the represented and I said truth, love, happiness, sorrow, and gnomes! They don’t represent anything actually – other than the fact that Samm loves all things country – paisleys especially!

We also went down to LuAnn’s house for dinner and hanging with the kiddos!

My cousin’s baby *B*! JUST PRECIOUS!

AHHHHH!

Heather and her boy! She is expecting a little girl about two weeks after we have Fitzy!

While Derek and Jessica were visiting they had Rowyn dedicated! Our friends James and Laura had their little guy dedicated at the same time!

Rowyn and my dad! I love love LOVE these photos! Jessica’s aunt made the bonnet for her! It is also meant to serve as the something old on her wedding day! Jessica’s aunt passed away not long before Rowyn was born so this is a very special bonnet!

Derek leaned over and whispered that Rowyn must be a hand raiser in worship!

On Saturday the 2nd of April my sister hosted a baby shower for us @ MPWC!

Stephanie Martin – the bride on my header and homepage – MADE this cake for us! Samm told her what she was thinking and then let her have creative freedom!

Samm made this diaper cake for me! I love the washcloth lollipops and the sock roses!

Peggy – a former barden photography bride – brought along her little miracle!

A close-up of the washcloth lollipop and the frozen baby game! Samm got these little plastic babies (which were pretty creepy) and froze them in ice! Whoever melted all the ice and got the baby out – without sucking on the ice – won!

Samm with our niece Rowyn! Oh I just LOVE her!

Who has the best diaper? HAHA! Loved this game! I had to pick Ashley – she is on the far left – because of the pacifier!

THANK YOU to EVERYONE who came to our shower! I had a great time and felt so amazingly blessed with all the goodies you gave!

There is just something about me that says – BRING ON THE SERIOUSNESS! Very rarely do I get THE smile from the kiddos I shoot! With the shot above – I had to reach out and tickle *G* while shooting with my other hand! It worked out beautifully! I LOVE that smile!